The country team at the World Health Organization (WHO) is responsible for promoting technical cooperation, stimulating interest, and coordinating assistance for health development based on global and regional strategies and WHO guidelines. It is also responsible for contributing to the collection, analysis, and dissemination of health information. As a Programme Assistant (GS-5), the incumbent will provide essential administrative and secretarial support to ensure the efficient operation of health development programs within the Kenya Country Office.
Responsibilities
- Correspondence & Documentation: Initiate correspondence projects based on the orientation of Program Managers; finalize them in accordance with WHO and departmental styles, checking language, grammar, and accuracy before submission for approval and signature.
- Meeting Organization: Organize the administrative preparation of internal and external meetings, including the preparation of business plans and financial commitment documents in GSM/Oracle, letters of invitation, cost estimates, and travel requests. Assist in the preparation of documents, sending materials, and liaising with participants.
- Administrative Analysis: Analyze correspondence and requests received, highlight incoming documents, attach background information, and identify areas requiring action by Program Managers.
- Secretarial Support: Schedule meetings for Program Administrators; take minutes of meetings and follow up on issues requiring action to ensure prompt response to WHO requests.
- Quality Control: Ensure that technical reports and documents conform to WHO standards, rules, practices, procedures, and editing style, correcting them as necessary prior to the Representative's signature.
- Monitoring: Use appropriate monitoring tools to ensure deadlines are met and that correspondence and requests are analyzed and processed as soon as possible.
- Travel Management: Use GSM to prepare travel plans and requests for official travel by Program Administrators. Handle airline and hotel reservations, travel records, and other related matters.
- Tracking: Track the implementation of recommendations from missions.
- Other Duties: Perform other related duties as required, including support to the Administration and the Representative's Office.
Required Qualifications
- Education: Completion of secondary school followed by Administrative training is essential. A University degree in Business Administration or a related field is highly desirable.
- Experience: A minimum of 5 years of experience in a recognized public or private institution is essential. Experience in administrative support positions within WHO or another UN agency, and experience in Oracle-based systems or another ERP-like system is desirable.
- Language: Expert knowledge of English is essential. Intermediate knowledge of Swahili is desirable.
Skills & Competencies
- Technical Proficiency: Mastery of modern office technology and the ability to stay abreast of changes in procedures, rules, and regulations.
- WHO Competencies: Teamwork, respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences, communication, moving forward in a changing environment, and producing results.
Remuneration
WHO offers staff in the General Services category an attractive remuneration package, which for the above position includes an annual net base salary starting at KES 2,764,116 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance) and 30 days of annual leave.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application through the WHO careers portal at careers.who.int. Ensure your application is submitted by the deadline of May 20, 2026.
